Page 4 of You Will Crave Me
Théoden smirked. “I’m not worried. My relationship with Josef is out of his jurisdiction as that is Ara’s pack. And Josef isn’t a slave. His pack, thanks to my benevolence and foresight, is now the most powerful werewolf pack, probably in the entire world.”
“Well, shut my mouth,” I said.
“I just did,” Théoden quipped.
“You’re fortunate you’re my friend,” I grumbled.
Théoden smiled. “I know.”
As we were talking, the room began to fill with more wolves and dragons until all nine Knights were present. That was when Kendrick entered and everyone’s conversations stopped and we all bowed. When I straightened, I took note of Kendrick’s attire. He was wearing a royal blue loincloth made from saffron silk and it had gold trim. A very ancient Egyptian design that suited him well. He was also donning a few gold and platinum rings with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Both ears were pierced with gold hoops. His beautiful, muscular chest was exposed. He had a nice amount of hair, but not too much and no pierced nipples, but that could always change. On his head was his crown, gold and platinum with a dragon and wolf back-to-back on the front. More jewelry adorned the crown. It was truly fit for a King. The night of the battle, which was the last time I’d seen him, he was not dressed as luxuriously. Then, why would he had been when he was going from territory to territory killing anyone who stood in his way?
His silver eyes scanned us all right before he sat down on his throne, which also had his crest of a wolf and dragon. The night Evander lost, I removed my ring bearing his dragon crest as a sign of respect for my new King. Looked like I was going to have to have another crest ring made. I saw that Monroe, the rather sassy wolf, was by his side. He was wearing leather pants, a black and gold embroidered corset, and spiked-heeled, leather knee boots. His make-up was applied with all the skill of a runway model’s. Well, no one could claim he didn’t have flair. I wondered if he’d be added to the High Council, as he seemed to be very close to Kendrick.
“I’m glad to see you all here,” Kendrick said. “I’ll make this quick because like all of you, I’ve got shit to do.”
There were a few chuckles, but no one dared to interrupt him.
“Okay, the first order of business, I want all of my dragons and wolves spread throughout my territory. I have nine Knights, and you will remain close to me. However, I will be assigning Generals, and you will be the ones to control battalions in various districts throughout my lands. Generals and Beta-capos, you will share the same level of authority as there will be one of each for each district. One to command my wolves, and one to command my dragons. You will take your orders from my Knights, the High Council, and myself. If you are here in this room, it’s because you will be appointed to one of these new positions.”
I looked around the room to see a few perked up expressions, especially from those dragons who’d lost their ability to be Knights. This was something that could give them that sense of power they’d once had. I had heard he had one territory, Akio’s old territory, that was now home to one half of his female dragons. Which was smart on his part to keep the two Queens and their Queendoms separate. I didn’t know how old his first Queen was, but something told me she’d be no match for my mother, who was nearing eight thousand years old. My mother had survived three Kings, to now be claimed by a fourth. No way would she settle for sharing her territory with another Queen. Especially, one who she would see as beneath her.
It was also smart to put their new Queendom in the middle of his territory. That way, they would be protected by male dragons and wolves on all sides. Kendrick might be young, but he was no fool. He had managed to take over three territories in one night. From what I’d heard, it would have been four had Elliot not been his mate, thus saving Deacon’s rather luscious ass. That was another wolf who was worthy of my cock. I remembered meeting him for the first time, he had been impressive. Not as hot-headed as Josef, calculating for sure, though. An opportunist by nature, I thought. It was why he was still alive, I was sure, considering how young he was.
If nothing else, Deacon and Kendrick were proving that age was not to be underestimated. I would keep that in mind. My own age, oftentimes, made me extremely confident. That, and the kills I’d amassed over the millennia. Still, nothing was to ever be taken for granted. Evander learned the hard way. He toyed with Kendrick when he should have treated him with more respect as the threat he was. Once I’d heard of how the battle went, that was my assessment.
Kendrick called ten dragons’ names, among them were Misha, Loriel, Soriel, and Hiko, all very old dragons and former Knights. The other dragons must have been from his original army. I was sure I’d get to know their names soon. “You will be my Generals. I will allow you to pick your own districts based on age. So, the oldest gets to pick first.”
“My Liege, what if we’re twins?” Loriel asked, and Soriel, his twin, rolled his green eyes.
Kendrick smirked “Whoever came out of your mother’s cooch first is the oldest.”
To that, Soriel smirked, as he was first born and then three minutes later, Loriel had joined him. More chuckles from the crowd. I did have to admit, Kendrick seemed a bit less regal than any other dragon King I’d served in the past. Not sure how I felt about that yet.
Next, Kendrick called forth ten wolves. I didn’t know any of them, but I was sure that would change as well. I glanced at Théoden to see his response and his face was unreadable, but I knew he was taking it all in. He was one of Ara’s youngest sons, but in my opinion, he was wiser than his brothers who were centuries older. I was always impressed with Théoden, much like I was the night he had bested Kendrick when no one else could.
“You will all become Beta-Capos, and the ceremony will take place in three weeks on the full moon. The same night I will claim my mate. On that night, our army will grow stronger as we become whole. I expect as many who can attend to be here. Is that understood?” Kendrick’s eyes watched as we all gave our acknowledgement. “Good. Like the dragons, the oldest among you will pick your districts. There are already five Beta-Capos in my territory here. I now have three territories, and it needs a new name to combine them. No longer will it be called Celestial Gardens or Lakeview or Pineleaf. My new dragon/wolf land will be called Emerald Kingdom.”
“A fitting name, My Liege,” Hexon commented.
Kendrick nodded. “Thank you, Hexon.” The acknowledgement gave the ancient dragon his due respect. “In addition to that, every dragon and wolf will bare my crest on their flesh.”
To that edict, there were some grumbles.
“Ooh, no y’all are not talking shit,” Monroe snapped, and with that, any protests were silenced.
“If anyone has a problem with that, speak up now if you wish to challenge my edict. Otherwise, shut the fuck up,” Kendrick growled, which silenced any further grumbles.
I personally didn’t like the idea of having to brand my skin with a crest. I knew it was something vampires did, and wolves. But dragons, at least not any of the Kings in my past, didn’t demand. I supposed with Kendrick being half wolf, this was a tradition he was passing on to us. Fuck.
“The next time I hear any griping about one of my edicts, I will punish the one who thinks he or she’s too fucking good to obey,” Kendrick warned.
Again, silence.
“Y’all were acting like a bunch of pussies over a damn brand. Get it together,” Monroe said, then rolled his eyes.
Kendrick chuckled, then went on. “Good. Now, as I was saying, you will be branded first as everyone in this room holds a leadership position. Then you will be in charge of making sure the rest of my army, who isn’t already branded, will receive theirs. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” we all said.
